The lower and middle sections of the Big Hole are open and fishing well.

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The lower and middle sections of the Big Hole are open and fishing well.  The river is still frozen above Dickie Bridge, but all of the water downriver from the bridge is ice-free and floatable.  Most of the boat traffic has been from Melrose to Browne’s or Browne’s to Glen, but there have been a few boats that have been fishing in the canyon.  Whether its been nymphing or throwing a “Dry/Dropper”, a San Juan Worm has been the most productive fly this week.  We have been getting trout to come up and eat skwalla patterns, but more fish have been eating the red worm.  Also, on the warmer days, slow stripping yellow and brown streamers has been pretty productive.

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Even thought Spring is officially here

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Even thought Spring is officially here, it still fells like winter isn’t quite ready to say good bye to the Big Hole Valley.  The 7-day forecast has lows in the mid 20’s with the highs reaching the upper 40’s.  If you are willing to brave this early spring weather, the lower river is fishable and looking great. Water temperatures are still quite cold, but nymphing a stonefly nymph and a san juan worm can be very productive. The Sunrise Fly Shop will be opening its doors for the 2014 season on Saturday, March 29th.  If you are thinking about coming to the Big Hole for a spring fishing trip, give us a call for the most up-to-date information.  Also, don’t forget to call us if you need a shuttle.

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Beaverhead River Fishing Report March Update

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Not much of a change on the Beaverhead River fishing report.  Flows remain around 27 cfs out of Clark Canyon Reservoir and the flows at Barretts are around 120cfs.  You will have some dry fly midge activity on the overcast damp days.  Your basic midge nymph box will get it done sub surface.  We recommend Micro May flies, Zebra Midges, and sow bugs.

Remember that from the Dam to Pipe Organ Bridge remains closed to fishing until the 3rd Saturday of May.  This section of the Beaverhead River is closed to protect the rainbows during the spawn. Make sure you are fishing below Pipe Organ Bridge to stay legal.

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Cold temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week.

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Cold temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week.  This past weekend we had one nice warm day that tempted people to get the dust off the boat.  High temperatures the rest of the week are in the 30’s with some snow in the forecast.  The Big Hole is floatable from Melrose down stream.  Water temperatures are in the lower 30’s and the trout are in their winter holes.  Nymphing the deep tail outs is going to be the best tactic right now.  Nymphs of choice are Pat’s Stones in size #8 , San Juan Worms, and midges.  Our Big Hole River guides are ready for the Spring Skwala fishing in April.  When reports improve we will let you know. The ice is off the Glen gauge and we are recording a Big Hole River flow of 652 cfs in Glen.  

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The Big Hole River fishing report is improving.

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The Big Hole River fishing report is improving.  The days are getting longer and warmer, which has been clearing the lower Big Hole from ice.  The ice is finally off the river in the Melrose area and we have a Big Hole River flow reading above 600 cfs at the Melrose guage station.  Don’t let this fool you though we still have large ice shelves on areas of the river.  The Glen guage is still reading Ice and the Maiden Rock guage is the only other spot reading a flow at this time.  Your best option is currently wade fishing the deeper tail outs of the runs in the afternoons.  Nymphing is your best option with an occasional midge hatch in the afternoons.  It will be  a nice day today and then we are back to winter weather.  We have a winter storm warning Monday and Tuesday followed by cold temperatures the rest of the week.  The snowpack continues to climb.  The Big Hole valley has a snow/water content of 144% and the snowfall amount is 118% of normal.  Our Big Hole river guides are eager to get back on the water the first week of April.

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We have about the same conditions as last week to report.

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We have about the same conditions as last week to report.  Our Big Hole River fishing report this week is filled with more winter like conditions on the water.  Flows have slightly come up at the Maiden Rock gauge but we are still experiencing ice on the river and freezing water conditions.  Snow is predicted Thursday and Friday and then a slight warm up is predicted for the weekend.  Wade fishing is still your only options.  Our Big Hole river fly shop is still closed for the winter.  Our projected opening is April 1st.  If you are getting on the water we suggest the spring fed areas and tail outs of runs.  Bring your midge box, San Juan worms, and Pat’s Stones with you.  As for our Montana snowpack and Big Hole snowpack we are still pilling snow in the high country.  Since we last reported a nice winter storm hit us.  Currently the Big Hole valley is at 140% snow/water equivalency and our total snowfall is 118% of normal.

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Big Hole River Fly Shop: New Product Shark Wave

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The Montana snowpack remains above average and the Big Hole snowpack continues to climb.  Currently the Big Hole snowpack has a snow/water content of 132% and a total precipitation of 106% of normal for this date in time.  With these numbers it is shaping up to be an excellent July and August on the Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers.  Our Big Hole River guides are tying flies and gearing up for the Spring Skwala hatch, which hits the Big Hole in early April.

Our Big Hole river fly shop is carrying many new products this year.  We have new gear from Patagonia, Simms, Scott Fly Rods and Scientific Anglers.  One of the products that we are excited about is the new SharkWave Fly line from Scientific Anglers.  This product has not hit the market yet so we have not reviewed it.  We will be receiving the Shark Wave fly line on April 1st in our Big Hole River fly shop.

The SharkWave fly line combines the best elements of Scientific Anglers textured line technologies and the traditional smooth fly lines.  The textured Sharkskin fly lines came out in 2007 and brought fly line technology to the industry that we had never seen before.  The Sharkskin fly line has increased surface area to allow the line to sit higher in the water, and with less drag.  The micro-textured surface traps air, which allows increased shootability and flotation while decreasing friction.  After the Sharksin fly line Scientific Anglers came out with the Mastery Textured series fly lines.  These lines took the great qualities of the Sharkskin line and combined it with a more easy feel of traditional, smooth fly lines, which results in a textured line that is smoother to the touch than Sharkskin.

Scientific Anglers now has taken the Textured Series fly lines and combined the qualities of the Sharkskin fly line to come up with the first triple textured fly lines called the SharkWave fly line.  The SharkWave is also the first triple colored fly line in the industry.  This fly line should have a friction free feel with unparalleled floatation.  We will have feed back in April on this fly line when our Big Hole River guides test it out.  It sounds like the ultimate trout line for Southwest Montana.

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Beaverhead River Fishing Report

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Winter flows remain low on the Beaverhead.  This Beaverhead River fishing report hasn’t changed much all winter.  The flow out of Clark Canyon Reservoir is 27 cfs.  The flow at the Barretts guage has an improved flow of 114cfs.  If you find a need to harass these fish during the extremely low winter flows you basic midge box will get it done.  Zebra midges, micro may flies and scuds will fill the nymph recipe.  On the overcast days midge activity on the surface will be seen.

Stay up to date with our Beaverhead River fly shop updates on our Blog.  Spring fishing is around the corner with warming trends happening soon.

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Southwest Montana fly fishing finally has something positive to report.

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Southwest Montana fly fishing finally has something positive to report.  We have some valley temperatures above freezing.  These warmer day time highs above freezing will start to get the ice off the lower Big Hole River.  Right now we are still at winter flows and with the ice on the river you will not be able to get a boat down.  On the warmer days some midge activity will be getting some fish looking up.  Still your basic nymphing techniques of Pat’s Stones and San Juan worms in the tail out deep areas of the run will get you hooked up.  If you are looking to wade fish I would recommend being where springs enter the river.  Our Big Hole River fly shop is gearing up for a great Spring season and our Big Hole River guides are ready to get on the water.

the Big Hole Snowpack is looking very good.  We are at 140% snow/water content and 115% of normal snowfall for this date in time.

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